Hello. Rutledge From Charleston, South Carolina USA

I've made a couple of posts already but thought I'd introduce myself.

From Charleston, SC. Founded in 1670. Originally called Charles Towne named for King Charles.

I'm a 13th generation Charlestonian. I met Prince Charles briefly when he came to visit in 1977, and again after Hurricane Hugo when he visited and watched contractors put imported Welsh slate on an historic home in downtown Charleston.

One of my ancestors, James Rivers was Lord Mayor of London. There is some question if this is true since some reports say that part of the line died off with no children, or due to illness.

Honeymooned in England in June 2006 during the heatwave. We had an incredible time.

I've been a real estate agent gor 15 years. My wife is an assistant for a loan originator.

England really captured my imagination when I was younger. The Arthur legend. Monty Python.(haha) The architecture. Quaintness. Castles, etc.

I have heard so many things about estate agents in the UK. Is it true that they are unregulated and don't have to be licensed or tested?

Looking forward to talking with you.

Hello and Welcome Rutledge!

as far as the real estate gors in the UK, i am not really sure, although i do no there is alot of what they call GAZUMPING (sp?)  Have never seen this happen in the US though. (maybe it does and i have just never seen it?)

Hi Rutledge Webb JR, welcome to this mad house of POE, thats an interesting posting you put, thanks for all the info. 

Estate Agents as we call them here in England are in a spot of trouble at the mo, our house prices are falling YEH!!!! at last... and quite a few have gone or going out of business (what a pity) As far as I know, and i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong but ours dont need to be qualified in anything at all, basically they can set up a business, make money and do nothing at all! Some of them don't even show the prospective clients around the property, they leave that to the seller, which in my mind is NOT what they are being paid for! Round where I live people having begun putting their own 'For Sale' signs up, deciding they may get a better deal if they dont use them! Good on them!

Lyn does that mean Rutledge dad was called the same>

Hi Rutledge, Here's an official welcome to POE. Thanks for your introduction, very comprehensive, Maybe I should update mine now.

Keep coming in to the forums and joining in with the madness.

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

i read an article about estate agents and gazumping in London a few weeks ago.

In the South Carolina we have to take 60 hrs of education to be a salesman. pass the school test then pass the State test. Many people don't pass it the first time.

We also have to take 8 hrs. of Mandatory Continuing Education every 2 years and if we want to have a Broker designation we wait 3 years, then take another 60 hrs of education.

We have oversight from the State through the Labor Licensing and Regulation and if an agent has a complaint from a client there is a hearing process through the local board and if he/she is found guilty then it will move to a state review, and if the agent is found guilty there then there are fines/restitution and possible temporary or permanent suspension of their license.

They are pretty tough on us.

 Sorry for the serious post on my Introduction thread but the I am still finding hard to believe that the UK government doesn't vet people who are dealing with the public's trust.

Carry on. LOL..